Who History: Name Dropping

braveheartclara

As most everyone knows by now, the 50th Anniversary Special for Doctor Who will be later this year.  There will likely be some amount of celebration and fanfare as the November date draws nearer - but in the meantime, the current half-series of Doctor Who seems to be honoring the 50th in its own way.  In practically every episode, there's been some reference to the adventures of a previous Doctor. Now, some who are used to Moffat's timey-wimey ways wonder if these references Mean Something … [Read more...]

Doctor Who: Clara Who?

stjohn

The first episode of this half of the Doctor Who season has aired!  And, frankly, I wish I had a few more answers. Earlier in the year Moffat had claimed that the seventh season of Doctor Who would be more self-contained stories, as opposed to the convoluted arc of the previous season.  Amy and Rory Pond's last adventures were exactly that.  However, it seems that this half of the season has sent us off on the trail of another grand mystery, as we try to figure out just who - or what - the … [Read more...]

Who History: The Doctors Revisited

pertweeshower

In preparation for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary Celebration, I've been discussing various aspects of Classic and New Who.  However, if you subscribe to BBCAmerica, you can also catch Doctor Who Revisited, which combines a retrospective about one of the Doctors with a classic episode from the same.  They're airing one a month, in order, so this month features Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor.  And having seen the first two, all I can say is that I'm waiting for more.   In general I'd been … [Read more...]

Who History: The Eighth Doctor

eighthtardis

November 2013 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Doctor Who.  In the months leading up to the official anniversary, I'll be talking about various aspects of Who that I think (or hope) might be relevant to the Anniversary Special.  Even if it's ultimately just extra information, hopefully it will still add depth of knowledge and general appreciation to fifty years of sci-fi fun. This installment is all about the most controversial Doctor of the lot: the Eighth Doctor, played by Paul McGann. … [Read more...]

Who History: The Anniversary Specials

elevendoctors

It’s 2013 and in the world of Doctor Who, that pretty much means one thing: the 50th Anniversary Celebration.  Yes, as of November the Whoniverse will have existed for fifty freaking years (by our reckoning, anyway).  This in itself is a pretty huge deal, but if you’re only a fan of New Who, you might not know what else that means: a probable Anniversary Special.  And the possibility - just a possibility - of a Multi-Doctor Special. See, there have been Anniversary Specials before.  … [Read more...]

Doctor Who: Christmas and the Companion

doctorwhochristmas

Note: while there are no series spoilers, this is a discussion of the Christmas Special and will certainly spoil that episode if you haven't seen it. I may still be having a sugar hangover from my made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls; nonetheless, we need to discuss Christmas.  Not the presents or the weather - the Doctor Who special, of course!  And particularly, the brand-new (or not-so-new) companion, Clara.  First, a bit about the special as a whole: More Scrooge McDuck I'll be honest: I … [Read more...]

Doctor Who: Mid-Season Report

angelstakemanhattan

Warning: this is a discussion and review of this season of Doctor Who to date.  There will not be spoilers for future episodes.  There will, however, be mention of details from episodes that have already aired - so read at your own risk if you haven't seen them yet. So, the Angels took Manhattan, at least temporarily, and the Ponds' story is complete.  We're through with episodes until Christmas, and then we'll be introduced to a brand-new companion, a brand-new era.  So let's take this … [Read more...]

Doctor Who: The D Word

pondlife

If you've read about Doctor Who here before, you probably already know that I'm something of a fangirl, of both Classic and New Who.  You might also know that I'm something of a Moffat fangirl.  Thus, it's no surprise that I'm thrilled that we're at the start of a new season, and literally woke up last Saturday morning excited for that day's new episode, like a kid at Christmas.  However, just because I'm a fangirl doesn't mean I love every word and decision dreamed up by The Moff.  Case … [Read more...]

Doctor Who: Riding the Wave of Popularity

doctorwhocover

It was only a few months ago that I wrote about how Doctor Who found its geek niche among American viewers.  I say American because, in the UK, Doctor Who has always been something of an institution - as is evidenced by the TARDIS noise and, supposedly, visuals that weren't caught on camera, during the Opening Ceremonies for the London Olympics.  However, now I'm wondering if I should revise my statement - if Doctor Who is already crossing the bridge between "hit cult show" and "mainstream … [Read more...]

How Doctor Who Found Its US Geek Niche

doctorwho7

So maybe you prefer David Tennant's 10th Doctor to Matt Smith's 11th; maybe you like Steven Moffat at the helm more than Russell T Davies.  Whatever your opinions, it's hard to deny that if you live in the US, it has never been better to be a Doctor Who fan than it is right now.  So what made this British import finally click with US geeks en masse? It's not like Doctor Who was never aired in the US prior to 2006.  I consider myself a fan of Classic Who now, but I didn't grow up as one; … [Read more...]